Look What We Found in the Attic!
As we initially explored our new apartment several weeks ago, we came across a dusty box in the attic. Inside we found—
“ ‘A king!’ my young readers will instantly exclaim. No, children, that’s where you’re wrong.”—Pinocchio, Carlo Collodi
Instead, we found a “marionetta,” a marionette with a full body that is operated by wires attached to his head and arms! He was a rather dashing and martial fellow, with a rakishly tilted hat, long flowing hair and mustaches to match, puffy camouflage pantaloons tucked into his boots and a wickedly curved saber at his side. Since we were pretty busy at the time, we tucked him back into his box where he stayed until now. As a side note, we recently learned from our landlords (Carmen and Giancarlo) that he came from Sicily. Perhaps we can learn more about this style of puppet when we get the opportunity to visit Il Castello dei Burattini (Puppet Museum) in Parma (http://www.castellodeiburattini.it/). In contrast, we also learned (thanks to my relative Roberta) that the term “burattino” refers to a hand puppet, which is characterized by three parts: head, hands and clothes. To operate, you put your index finger in the head and the thumb and middle finger in the two arms.
So that our marionetta could be displayed in our apartment, my project was, at long last, to put together a platform for him. With a nice sturdy stand, he could undertake his mission, which clearly is to guard the fireplace, making sure nothing unwonted comes down the chimney. With a little help and advice from the guy who runs the neighborhood “ferramenta” (hardware store), and a “trapano” (drill) borrowed from our ever-so-helpful next door neighbors (Isa and Umberto), I was able to cobble together a rustic pedestal for him. Our marionetta doesn’t have a name, so for now, at least, he’ll be known as, “l’Innominato,” (the Unnamed) after the character from the classic Italian novel, “I Promessi Sposi” (The Betrothed). As I gaze at him next to the fireplace, I wonder if our three chosen nutcracker statues, who traveled with us from Madison, Wisconsin to Parma, Italy will be jealous when they come out of storage right before Christmas!
